Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 284: The Third Lifetime, Adele. (10)

Chapter 284: The Third Lifetime, Adele. (10)

Pool.

Thirheria

*************

Soon they were both comfortably in the water. As they lingered in the warm embrace of the water, Adele’s hair fanned out around her, floating like a delicate halo. The tendrils caught the light, shimmering like strands of gold. Theodore, ever attentive, noticed how the water played with her hair, how it framed her face in a way that made her look ethereal, almost otherworldly.

He moved closer, his movements deliberate and gentle, as though approaching something sacred. His hands, strong yet tender, reached out to gather her hair. He carefully lifted the wet strands, his fingers brushing against her neck as he did so. The simple act of gathering her hair felt intimate, more so than he had anticipated. It was as if he were claiming a small part of her, a quiet declaration of his desire to care for her in every possible way.

Adele shivered slightly, not from the cold, but from the warmth of his touch, the way his fingers caressed her skin with such reverence. She tilted her head, allowing him better access, her heart thudding in her chest. It was as if time had slowed down, every sensation amplified in the stillness of the moment.

Theodore leaned in, placing a lingering kiss on the nape of her neck. His lips brushed her skin softly, but the effect was electric. Adele gasped, a quiet intake of breath that she couldn’t control. The sensation sent a thrill through her, and she felt her entire body respond, heat pooling low in her belly.

Theodore smiled against her skin, pleased with the reaction he had elicited. His hands moved lower, tracing the curves of her body, memorizing the feel of her beneath his touch. It was as though her body were a shrine, one he was eager to worship with the utmost devotion.

Their breaths mingled in the cool air, the steam from the hot spring rising around them like a veil. They lost themselves in each other for a few precious moments, their touches growing bolder, their bodies responding to the undeniable pull between them. The water around them rippled with their movements, adding a rhythm to their quiet exploration.

But as the intensity of their desire grew, Theodore knew they had to stop. He pulled back reluctantly, his gaze meeting Adele’s. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly parted, and her eyes held a mixture of longing and love. She looked at him as if he were her world, and in that moment, he felt as though he would move heaven and earth to keep her safe and happy.

With a quiet sigh, they both began to emerge from the water, the cool air meeting their heated skin. Water trickled down their bodies, leaving shimmering trails in its wake. The desire that had sparked between them didn’t fade, but instead deepened, simmering just beneath the surface.

"You are absolutely beautiful," Theodore compliment and this made her reddened even more than the hot bath had flushed her skin.

Theodore helped her dress, his hands steady despite the fire still burning within him. Each piece of clothing he carefully wrapped around her felt like a promise—a promise of many more moments like this, of a lifetime spent together. Adele’s mind wandered as he dressed her, imagining what life would be like with him always by her side. She pictured a future where she would fall asleep in his arms every night, where they would share secrets and dreams, where their love would grow stronger with each passing day.

When they were both dressed, Theodore led her up to the cliffside overlooking the spring. The sun was beginning to set, casting the sky in hues of orange, pink, and gold. They sat together, side by side, as they watched the sun dip lower in the sky. The world around them was bathed in a warm, golden light, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

Adele leaned her head on Theodore’s shoulder, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest. "I am to spend my forever with you," she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of her emotions.

Theodore turned his head slightly to look at her, his expression soft and filled with a quiet joy. "Forever," he echoed, his voice firm with conviction. "I will make sure it is beautiful forever, Adele. You will never have to worry or be alone. I will be there for you, always."

The words were simple, but they held a profound meaning for both of them. They sat in silence for a while longer, watching as the last rays of the sun disappeared behind the horizon. The world around them grew darker, but the warmth between them remained, a beacon of light in the gathering night.

For Theodore, this moment was a reminder of all he had fought for, of all the lifetimes he had waited and searched. Now that he had found Adele, he wouldn’t let anything take her away from him. He had known what was missing since he was fourteen, and now that he had it, he wouldn’t lose it again.

For Adele, this was the beginning of something new, something beautiful. The emptiness she had felt earlier was gone, replaced by a fullness she had never known before. In Theodore, she had found her heart’s desire, her love, and she knew that as long as they were together, she could face anything.

As the night deepened, Theodore finally stood, offering Adele his hand. "Shall we head back?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Adele nodded, taking his hand. As they made their way back, the world seemed a little brighter, a little warmer. And though the future held uncertainties, they knew they would face it together, hand in hand, heart to heart.

In the carriage back Theodore couldn’t help himself so he asked, "Do you believe in reincarnation?"

She glanced at him, pursed her lips and said. "I have read about a tribe that believes everyone is a reincarnation of a dead person, and that this people choose to come back" it sounded as though she trailed off there but she didn’t continue speaking.

Theodore blinked, "I see, so do you believe?"

"Well, the craziest point of the whole hullabaloo is that some were mortal enemies in their previous lives and now they come back to their enemies? i find that extremely hard to believe" she clarified and it was like a wedge struck Theodore’s throat. "Do you believe in reincarnation?" she asked him after a prolonged silence.

Theodore sighed, raised up a curtain and whispered, "We have reached the barons estate"

"Theodore?" She called him after he helped her out without meeting her

"I love you"

"What is love to you?"

"You are love." he said simply and now she has never been as confused as that boy made her.

*

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*

Morning.

Parlour.

Thirheria.

***********

"News about you has spread to the whole kingdom," Eleanor, Adele’s mother said rather disappointedly on her daughter who has drawn people’s attention by being courted by the prince.

"We are going to a tea party" Eleanor continued at Adele’s silence.

"Yes, mother" Adele agreed as she moved inside got ready and they left soon after.

The tea party was a grand affair, hosted in the luxurious garden of Lady Cressida’s estate. The garden was a masterpiece of horticulture, with neatly trimmed hedges, vibrant flowers in full bloom, and a serene fountain at its center, where the water sparkled under the afternoon sun. The air was filled with the delicate scent of roses and freshly baked pastries, a sweet and inviting aroma that contrasted sharply with the underlying tension that permeated the gathering.

Adele, dressed in a soft lavender gown that complemented her fair complexion, walked alongside her mother, Lady Eleanor. Lady Eleanor was the epitome of grace and charm, a woman who had perfected the art of socializing and pleasing others. Her auburn hair was elegantly styled, and she wore a smile that never quite reached her eyes. To the outside world, she was the perfect hostess, always eager to maintain harmony and avoid conflict at any cost.

As they entered the garden, Adele couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease. The eyes of the other women in attendance followed her every move, their gazes lingering on her with a mix of curiosity and thinly veiled disdain. She had become the center of attention, not for her beauty or her grace, but for the rumors that had begun to swirl around her and Prince Theodore.

Whispers of her connection to the prince had spread like wildfire, and the ladies at the tea party were all too eager to indulge in gossip. Adele could feel their judgment, their resentment, as if it were a tangible weight pressing down on her. She knew that many of them envied her, not for who she was, but for the attention she had garnered from the most eligible bachelor in the kingdom.

"Ah, Lady Eleanor! Adele! So wonderful to see you both," Lady Cressida greeted them with a forced smile, her eyes flicking briefly to Adele before returning to her mother. "Please, do join us. We were just discussing the latest fashions from the capital."

Lady Eleanor smiled warmly and nodded, guiding Adele to a seat at the table, where delicate china teacups and saucers were arranged with precision. Adele sat down, her back straight, and tried to ignore the cold glances being shot in her direction. She focused on pouring herself a cup of tea, the warm liquid calming her frayed nerves.

As the conversation continued, Adele found herself withdrawing into her thoughts, the words of the other women becoming a distant hum. She didn’t want to be there, surrounded by people who barely concealed their contempt for her. She had always been more comfortable in quieter settings, away from the prying eyes and sharp tongues of society.

But her mother, ever the people-pleaser, insisted on bringing her to these gatherings. Lady Eleanor believed that if they kept up appearances, everything would be fine. That if Adele simply smiled and nodded, the rumors would eventually die down, and they could return to their normal lives. Yet, Adele knew better. She could feel the tension, the hostility directed at her.

It wasn’t long before the inevitable happened. One of the women, Lady Rosalind, a particularly sharp-tongued and envious woman, "accidentally" knocked her teacup over, sending a stream of hot tea toward Adele. Adele flinched and quickly moved her hand out of the way, narrowly avoiding the scalding liquid.

"Oh, my dear, I am so sorry!" Lady Rosalind exclaimed, her voice dripping with feigned concern. But the smirk tugging at the corners of her lips betrayed her true intentions.

Before Adele could respond, her mother was already at her side, her face pale with worry. "Adele, perhaps it is best if you head home," Lady Eleanor said in a hushed tone, her eyes darting nervously around the table. "We wouldn’t want to cause any more trouble."

Adele’s heart sank at her mother’s words. She knew that her mother was more concerned with avoiding conflict than standing up for her own daughter. It wasn’t the first time she had felt this way—betrayed, unloved, cast aside in favor of maintaining social harmony. But this time, it stung even more, knowing that her mother was willing to send her away rather than confront the obvious hostility.

Adele forced a smile and stood, her movements graceful and poised despite the turmoil churning inside her. "Of course, Mother," she replied, her voice steady but cold. She turned and began to walk away, her shoulders held high, determined not to show any sign of weakness in front of the women who so clearly wanted to see her falter.

As she made her way out of the garden, the anger and hurt she had been holding back surged within her. How could her mother do this to her? How could she value the approval of these women more than her own daughter’s well-being? The betrayal cut deep, and for a moment, she considered confronting her mother about it. But she knew it would be futile. Lady Eleanor was set in her ways, and nothing would change that.

The farther Adele walked from the party, the more she felt the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. She wanted to scream, to cry, to let out all the frustration that had been building up inside her. But instead, she kept walking, her mind racing with thoughts of how unfair it all was.

And then, suddenly, she thought of Theodore.

The image of him filled her mind, his kind eyes, his warm smile, and the way he made her feel safe and cherished. The anger that had been simmering inside her began to fade, replaced by a yearning to see him. She wanted to be near him, to hear his voice, to feel his presence. In that moment, she knew she had to see him, to find some solace in his company.

Without a second thought, Adele turned on her heel and began walking toward the stables. She would find Theodore, and in his presence, she would forget, even if just for a little while, the pain of her mother’s betrayal and the venomous whispers of society.

*

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*

Castle.

Thirheria

***********

Adele sat in the plush seat of her carriage, the soft leather beneath her fingertips providing a small comfort as she took a deep breath. Her mind was still reeling from the events at the tea party, the hurt and betrayal gnawing at her heart. She knew she couldn’t return home, not in this state. She needed something, or rather someone, to ease the ache that had settled in her chest.

"The castle," she suddenly instructed the coachman, her voice firm yet filled with an underlying urgency. "Take me to the castle."

The coachman, a seasoned man who had served the family for years, glanced back at her with a respectful nod. "As you wish, my lady," he replied, and with a flick of the reins, the carriage veered off its previous course, heading towards the grand gates of the royal castle.

As they traveled, Adele felt a mix of emotions swirling within her. There was a sense of anticipation, a flicker of excitement that she couldn’t quite suppress. The thought of seeing Theodore, of being near him, brought a warmth to her that she desperately needed. The countryside rushed by in a blur of greens and golds, the sun dipping lower in the sky as they neared their destination.

When the carriage finally approached the imposing gates of the castle, two guards stepped forward, their expressions stern as they moved to stop the carriage. But before they could question her, a figure appeared from within the gates, moving with an easy, confident stride.

Holden, the duke and one of Theodore’s closest friends, came into view. His ebony hair fell in loose waves, and his eyes, lined with dark kohl that emphasized their intensity, caught her attention immediately. There was something enigmatic about him, a shadow of sorrow that seemed to linger behind his gaze.